Class of 2009

Introduction

Staff of the Hamilton College Career Center have been surveying Hamilton graduates during their first year after graduation for the past 10 years. The resulting "Outcomes" reports present the best data we have to tell us what our graduates end up doing "one year out" of Hamilton. Our goal each year is to survey the Class until we obtain responses from at least 80% of the Class, which for last year and this year required considerable persistent effort.

This Career Outcomes report, for the Hamilton College Class of 2009, references the responses received from 396 out of the 473 members of the Class, a response rate of 84%. We began collecting data in May of 2009 and reached our participation goal in April of 2010.

All results contained in this report reflect the responses of those 396 members (84%) of the class that replied to the survey. All percentages included refer to the response group and not to the total class size of 473.

The report begins with a summary section giving an overview of the entire Class. That is followed, in turn, by reports on students that accepted employment opportunities, top geographic location choices, those that pursued graduate school positions, and finally those that accepted a postgraduate fellowship or scholarship award.

Viewers can clearly note the impact of the economic recession in the number of respondents who reported themselves as "in transition" or "still looking" for what they consider to be permanent work. Clearly more members of the Class of 2009 went directly into Graduate or Professional School, as well. The "Overall Status" and "Areas of Employment 2004-09" tables show the trends and differences in outcomes for the past six graduating Classes.

This report is compiled each year by the Career Center staff under the direction of David Bell, and would not be possible without the willingness of our alumni to report back to us. "Thank you" to the members of the Class of 2009 who participated. If you have questions about this information feel free to contact us.

Kino Ruth
Director
Maurice Horowitch Career Center

Overall Status

Based on the overall responses of 396 graduates, 359 (91%) report themselves as employed, in graduate school, or engaged in a graduate fellowship opportunity.

32 respondents (8%) indicated that they were "in transition" (traveling, applying to graduate programs, or not looking for positions).

5 graduates (1%) indicated that they were still searching for appropriate positions.

Career Outcomes: What Are They Doing Now?

Education & Nonprofit

25%

90

Science & Technology

20%

72

Finance

13%

45

Law & Government

10%

36

Communications

8%

30

Other

8%

29

Management

6%

22

Marketing & Sales

5%

17

Consulting

2.5%

9

Arts

2.5%

9

TOTAL

359

100%

Geographic Outcomes: Where Are They Now?

50% Relocate to Top Three Cities:

New York City

132

Washington, D.C.

37

Boston

33

The class of 2011 continues a Hamilton tradition whereby large numbers of graduates relocate to the three major east coast metropolitan areas of New York City, Boston, and Washington, D.C. However, this is the first class since we began doing this survey in 2000 that did not have a majority (more than 50%) of its members relocate to these three cities. 202 members moved to these three areas, or 45% of the respondents. Philadelphia was the fourth largest destination with nine students (2%).